KHAIRY Jamaluddin wants DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang to join his press conference tomorrow on Malaysia’s progress in getting vaccines for Covid-19.

His invitation comes following Lim’s repeated claims that Malaysia was paying 20 times more than Belgium for Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

The Iskandar Puteri MP had said Malaysians were entitled to know how much the government is really paying for the Pfizer vaccine in the face of confusion over the price.

Khairy, who is Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said in a series of tweets today that he would hold a press conference tomorrow after the Cabinet meeting to explain the vaccine procurement issue.

“PM @MuhyiddinYassin has just announced our updated portfolio of Covid-19 vaccines. After signing deals with COVAX, Pfizer & Astra Zeneca and finalising agreements with Sinovac, CanSino & Gamaleya, we will have vaccines for almost 83% of our population at RM2.05bn.

“With this announcement, I hope it clears up the misinformation spread by @limkitsiang that we spent RM3bn on just the Pfizer deal alone that covers 20% of our population.

“Here are some details about the vaccines that will be in our portfolio as announced by PM @MuhyiddinYassin. I will hold a press conference tomorrow at Mosti after Cabinet to furnish the public with further information. @limkitsiang is welcome to attend,” his tweets read.

He also retweeted a news report that had quoted Lim on the vaccine procurement, with a caption stating “Please come to my office tomorrow at 1300hrs @limkitsiang. I will see you after Cabinet. I hope you will find time to meet me.”

Lim meanwhile in a statement earlier today urged Khairy to reveal the actual amount Putrajaya would be paying for the vaccines.

Local health think-tank The Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy meanwhile had urged the government critics not to undermine and erode public confidence in efforts to secure safe and effective vaccines against Covid-19.

Galen Centre said the criticism, including from politicians, touched on accusations ranging from overpaying to misleading the public on how much will be spent on these life-saving therapies.

“While much of the confusion is due to the complexity of pharmaceutical procurement, a large portion of the attacks have been based on misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories which continue to persist in the face of facts,” said Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre. – December 22, 2020.